We would like to draw the attention of all pet owners to the worrying issue that the cost of 'Prescription' veterinary medicines could almost double later this year.
Currently vets are obliged to offer clients written prescriptions whatever medicines are prescribed and no charge can be made other than the normal consultation fee. Many pet owners have found that they can make savings of around 50% as compared with the cost at their vets.
The period when 'clerical fees' for prescriptions are banned, expires later this year. Unsurprisingly Vets have lobbied against this ban being continued and some make no secret of their wish to charge punitive fees to wipe out any savings pet owners make.
A prescription is the outcome of a professional consultation paid for by clients and an extra 'clerial fee' for a written prescription is unknown even in Harley Street! In any case, many vets have increased their consultation and other charges to cover any income lost. These will never come down again, so any new 'prescription writing fees' will be extra profit.
A recent report in the Times (June 16th 2008) shows that vets are now the most profitable small business category in Britain. Their profits are said to be well over double those of even Lawyers, Plumbers, Builders and Electricians, and 89% greater than Chemists.
In the past Opticians, like vets, were found to operate a monopoly, so now they have to give a prescription after every consultation to give clients a free choice where glasses are dispensed.
We believe that it is in the public interest for Vets to follow the same procedure as Opticians in order that open competition continues.
If you agree and feel as strongly as we do, please write to your M.P at the House of Commons, London SW1A OAA giving them your views.
Thank You